Ideal weather and superb organisation resulted in this being a very successful event, both financially and as an opportunity for residents of Wangaratta to come together to have fun but also to experience a sense of community spirit and friendship.

For WOA members the fun started early on Saturday with setting up our site. A borrowed tent provided a few challenges (many thanks to the owner for the loan) but soon it was erected and stayed up for the whole weekend! Our club's outdoor theme was artistically conveyed with eucalypt boughs and lots of bright butterflies. We were all quite proud of our decorating efforts.

With 70 teams participating the Rovers Football grounds took on a very colourful appearance by the start time of 3 pm. The sea of purple made an impressive sight when the walkers gathered for the official opening.

Sally Bolitho's address about her life with cancer was one of the moving occasions experienced by all during the weekend. Others included the lighting, and eventual extinguishing, of three candles signifying Remembrance, Celebration and Hope for the future.

One member of our team aimed to walk for the entire duration of the relay-and he succeeded! Murray Shaw covered 270 laps-90 kilometres-in the time. Congratulations on a fantastic effort! Other members also had personal goals, though less ambitious than Murray's. As most of us have been affected in some way by cancer it was an opportunity to reflect and to feel grateful that we were all able to participate and enjoy this physical activity.

The lighting of many hundreds of candles, commemorating the memory of friends and relatives who have died as well as survivors, provided a special atmosphere for the walkers during the night. They lined the circumference of the track and provided a constant reminder of how many people are affected by this disease.

Some team members remained for the entire duration of the relay, catching short naps in the relative warmth of sleeping bags in the tent. Others went home for short periods and returned to once again make their way round and round and...WOA had at least two, and often six or more walkers on the track at all times.

Finally midday approached and all gathered in team groups for the closing ceremony. Wangaratta's Relay for Life was the 201st held in Victoria and had the largest number of registered teams for an inaugural event. Cancer Council officials were highly impressed with the community organisation and participation and will use some of the ideas they gained in future events in other parts of Victoria.

Wangaratta's Relay for Life raised $116 145 and with pledges made that will increase to over $120 000. Our team's contribution was $2800. Congratulations to the CFA who raised the highest amount of $8658. All funds raised by the 70 teams will go towards cancer research.

Many thanks to our club members who participated in any way in this worthwhile activity. Special thanks to Kate Grover, our team captain, for her meticulous organisation. There's no doubt that she, as well as sixteen other weary walkers, will have slept soundly on Sunday night.